A real-time wildlife detection and driver warning system was successfully tested on a 14-mile stretch of Route 460 in Southwest Virginia, showing drivers reduced speeds by an average of 3 mph when approaching activated signs. The system, which utilizes thermal cameras and AI software, demonstrated an overall accuracy of 97 percent for ...
Virginia Tech researchers will develop design tools to integrate certification and safety requirements into the design process from the start. This approach aims to reduce the time, cost, and risk of bringing new aviation technologies to market, with a focus on electrified propulsion technologies.
Researchers propose a voluntary program that targets waitlisted candidates aged 65 or older with 'marginal' kidneys, prioritizing them over younger patients. The redesign aims to improve access to harder-to-place kidneys, potentially preventing over 190 deaths annually.
A recent study by Virginia Tech found that the Upper Basin is experiencing rapid groundwater losses, with surface-water shortages increasingly affecting groundwater as well. Groundwater depletion in the Upper Basin accelerated after 2019, with a loss of approximately 4.6 trillion gallons during the 2020-2022 drought.
A recent study identified a protein in the placenta involved in vascular development, challenging previous beliefs about its function. The protein, soluble platelet-derived growth factor receptor beta, plays a role in infant vascular development and may affect maternal health.
A new study uses process-based numerical modeling to explore how the Chesapeake Bay could respond to various kinds of tropical cyclones as sea levels rise over the next 25 years. The researchers found that rising sea levels shifted interactions toward higher water levels, weakening the bay's natural ability to dampen storm surge.
Researchers aim to understand how environmental shifts and virus evolution cause hantaviruses to leap from wildlife to humans, with a focus on global genetic analysis and regional risk maps. The study will also inform public health guidelines and offer hands-on research opportunities for students.
Researchers found that minimally and highly processed meals with matched nutritional profiles produced distinct metabolic responses and activity in the brain's reward system. The study suggests that food processing may affect how the body and brain respond to food, potentially leading to overconsumption and long-term health effects.
Researchers found that stroke can reshape the tumor environment, accelerating glioma growth and spread by exploiting the brain's repair system. The study identified tumor-associated astrocytes with reduced calcium activity as a key driver of this process.
Researchers identified a mechanism to kill the fungal pathogen Aspergillus fumigatus, which causes severe respiratory infections with high mortality rates. The study found that a genetic modification allowed the echinocandin drug to kill the fungus, paving the way for more targeted attacks.
A multidisciplinary team will integrate existing data to develop a computational framework predicting how vaginal tissue changes in response to hormones. The project aims to identify relationships between hormone dynamics and tissue microstructure and mechanics, ultimately improving women's health outcomes.
A new study shows that Hurricane Helene deposited nearly one-fifth of annual microplastics at one North Carolina site, intensifying storm-induced microplastic pollution. Microplastic deposition was three to 22 times higher than before the storm, with significant implications for human health and biodiversity.
Researchers found that mice moved closer to a familiar companion when hearing a warning signal, but not with a stranger. This suggests a brain circuit that links social memory to threat response, with the hippocampus acting as a gatekeeper for familiar interactions.
Researchers are developing self-lubricating metal alloys that won't break down even at ultra-high temperatures, reducing dependence on conventional lubricants and coatings. The project aims to create a reusable materials-discovery infrastructure, enabling materials that become functionally adaptive to their environment.
Researchers detected a short-lived bulge at the volcano, attributing it to a million cubic meters of magma pouring into an existing magma reservoir. The finding demonstrates the effectiveness of Virginia Tech's early-stage alert system for volcanic activity.
Scientists have engineered a nonpathogenic E. coli bacterium to carry a phage that specifically targets salmonella, resulting in a protective lining against infections. This breakthrough could lead to the development of new treatments for other diseases, particularly those with high global disease burdens.
Virginia Tech researchers have developed degradable polymers with a new molecular architecture that combines strength, toughness, flexibility, and oxygen-blocking properties. The findings have implications for food packaging, which could lead to more sustainable and durable materials.
A study found that feeding and watching birds positively impacts people's well-being, reducing stress and increasing feelings of joy, gratitude, and calm. The activity also fosters engagement and a sense of meaning, as participants feel they are connecting with nature and contributing to science.
Scientists at Virginia Tech have designed two types of degradable adhesives: one made from lipoic acid that outperforms duct tape, and another with a bottlebrush polymer that is four times stronger. Both can be broken down into their original components within minutes, making them ideal for recyclable applications.
Researchers identified microRNA-224 as a promising treatment target for pulmonary arterial hypertension, a rare disease that damages the blood vessels in the lungs and strains the heart. Blocking the molecule reversed key signs of the disease in animal models, improving blood vessel function and heart performance.
Researchers developed sensors to detect Sclerotinia blight in peanut plants, providing early warning for treatment. The sensors can detect oxalic acid, a chemical produced by infected plants, and have been validated in greenhouse trials.
Researchers aim to identify biological differences among patients to guide treatment with precision therapeutics and computational approaches. The goal is to improve treatment outcomes for schizophrenia, a condition that affects perception of reality.
The researcher will investigate how infected cells live and die, and what chemical signals they release to surrounding cells. This work could lead to better antiviral drugs and virus-based cancer treatments.
A new study from Virginia Tech scientists reveals the complex relationship between temperature, photoperiod, and bear hibernation behavior. The research found that temperature and day length interact to shape hibernation behavior, potentially disrupting climate-driven changes in hibernation timing.
Researchers have developed an oral therapy that protects healthy tissue from radiation while preserving radiation's ability to destroy cancer cells. The therapy, called XOlacta, is packaged in milk-derived extracellular vesicles and can be administered orally, reducing damage to tissues and preserving tumor treatment effectiveness.
A Virginia Tech study reveals that multiple CD4 T-cell populations work together to control Cryptococcus neoformans, a deadly fungus that causes meningitis in immunocompromised individuals. The finding could lead to new preventive treatments that target a coordinated network of immune cells.
Researchers at Virginia Tech developed a wearable microneedle patch called the iNal patch that can detect fentanyl in the body and automatically release naloxone to reverse an opioid overdose. The patch uses porous silica nanoparticles loaded with naloxone, which is released when fentanyl levels are detected.
Researchers analyzed millions of high-frequency turbidity measurements to reconstruct daily sediment movement, revealing a major shift: Rivers are becoming more 'bursty', with a 20-day decrease in the time it takes to transport 90% of their annual sediment. This change can overwhelm water treatment systems and damage aquatic habitats.
Researchers discovered that bacteriophages play a critical role in distributing nutrients, promoting microbial diversity, and supporting gut health by releasing vitamin B12. The study found that phage infection is necessary for B12 release, and the nutrient specifically drives growth in dependent microbes.
Researchers at Virginia Tech develop process to strip chlorine from PVC and produce synthetic lubricant-based oils. The new method converts discarded PVC into a key lubricant ingredient, offering a potential solution to two environmental challenges: recycling difficult-to-process plastics and producing valuable industrial materials.
Research investigates how bioactive molecules in human milk shape infant metabolism and informs formula development.
A Virginia Tech team analyzed over 1,000 storm surge events to identify distinct patterns that depend on both storm characteristics and coastal geography. The findings could help engineers design infrastructure to withstand unique flood timelines and support better planning and decision making for coastal communities.
A team of researchers successfully measured pollen dispersal from a genetically engineered switchgrass crop using ground samplers, drones, and simulations. They established a modeling methodology for future prediction, which can help improve strategies for managing pollen movement and forecasting airborne allergens.
Researchers have identified a natural protective protein called BMP3 that helps maintain healthy lung blood vessels. Increasing BMP3 levels in preclinical models of pulmonary arterial hypertension reversed key features of the disease, including damaged blood vessels and impaired heart function.
Scientists have discovered a new approach to treating genetic brain disorders by redirecting brain development. The therapy helps at-risk neurons grow and connect more normally, strengthening connections among existing neurons and restoring cognitive function.
Researchers used Landsat thermal infrared imagery to study river temperatures over 250 dams in the US, finding temperature differences in 71% of observations and varying impacts based on dam type and season. This new approach can help better understand freshwater ecology and water resource management.
A new study identifies five audience 'classes' based on people's perceptions of scientists' credibility, including enthusiasts, optimists, moderates, skeptics, and estranged. Researchers found that public estimates of scientific credibility differ depending on the topic and audience class.
Researchers developed an AI model to optimize water usage in agriculture and semiconductor manufacturing. The model identifies cause-and-effect relationships between water availability, crop needs, and industrial expansion, generating recommendations for each state.
A team of researchers, led by Ying Zhang, has developed artificial intelligence-driven tools to identify and attack software vulnerabilities. By teaching AI to generate proof-of-concept exploits, developers can see exactly how attackers could exploit known flaws, motivating them to fix issues before malicious actors do.
A recent study by Virginia Tech researchers found that physically active children with cerebral palsy and Down syndrome experienced less fatigue. Parents reported similar results, highlighting the importance of physical activity for long-term health outcomes in children with developmental disabilities.
A new Virginia Tech study finds that patterns of repetitive negative thinking can carry anxiety into deeper distress among dementia caregivers, but also suggests that mindfulness training may help identify and interrupt this progression. Researchers also found that introducing mindfulness early on can aid in managing stress before it d...
Computer scientists have developed a new AI tool called RNAbpFlow that can map RNA structures with high accuracy, rivaling Google's AlphaFold 3. The method uses flow matching and can generate complete 3D structures from scratch, making it useful for drug discovery and targeting specific RNA folds.
Ionut Farcas uses reduced modeling to simulate plasma physics, reducing computation time from days to seconds. This enables real-time control and decision making in nuclear fusion devices.
A new study by Meike van der Heijden challenges the long-held assumption that activity in easily measured cerebellar cells like Purkinje cells can reliably predict signals in deeper brain regions linked to dystonia, ataxia, and tremor. The research found no significant correlation between Purkinje cell and deep nuclei cell activity.
A pair of grants aims to simplify wildlife management by integrating multiple species into a single plan, reducing redundancies and expanding effectiveness. The research focuses on managing entire ecosystems rather than individual species, using technologies like monitoring tools and multi-objective optimization.
A new study investigates whether obesity contributes to faster brain aging and earlier memory decline. Researchers found that high K63 polyubiquitination levels in young obese rats matched those seen in older brains, suggesting a connection between obesity-induced and age-related memory loss.
Researchers reconstructed millipede evolution history, tracing origins to nearly 460 million years ago. They also discovered that one group of millipedes may have developed chemical defenses 260 million years ago.
In a groundbreaking study, ordinary pet dogs and their owners excelled at finding spotted lanternfly egg masses, with teams outperforming trained human searchers by over 2:1 in dense vegetation. The research demonstrates the potential of community dog-handler teams as an early detection force to combat the invasive pest's spread.
A Virginia Tech study found that female brains use a molecular process not seen in male brains to form fear memories. The researchers suggest that treatments for PTSD may need to be tailored differently for men and women. The discovery could lead to better understanding of PTSD and more effective treatments.
Researchers at Virginia Tech have developed an 'acoustic atom' that traps and controls sound waves in ways that mimic real atoms. This breakthrough could influence technologies connected to quantum AI, telecommunication, medical imaging, GPS, and more.